Kumara Sangakkara feels it is unfair to tag India as over dependent on Virat Kohli and regarded India's disastrous loss in the first two tests against England as lack of preparation.
India's batting and bowling both failed in the first two tests of the five tests at Birmingham and Lords. No other batsmen except Kohli could score runs in the last two tests.
"It is almost unfair to the other batsmen because we have seen Virat batting like he has for the last few years. It is incredible to watch and he is an incredible performer, but others are also fantastic players," Sangakkar told PTI in an interview.
"Pujara and Rahane are absolutely great batsmen — Pujara averages 50 in Test Cricket Rahane averages 50 overses. Then, there are others. KL Rahul looks brilliant (when in form), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik — these are no insignificant names."
Sangakkara also felt India's selection for Lord's was "heavily influenced" by the way they played at Edgbaston.
"They made a decision based on having an extra fast bowler there, and having said that, fast bowlers usually do most of the damage at Lord's. So they should have stuck with more or less the same team, or bowling attack (by bringing in Pujara for Dhawan). Hardik Pandya played, but they could have played an extra batsman and an extra pacer instead if they wanted to." Sangakkara was quoted as saying.
(Featured Image – The Indian Express)